Jannik Sinner discovered a new Novak Djokovic at the Laureus Awards.

Jannik Sinner enjoyed the Laureus Awards 2026 ceremony, despite losing the Sportsman of the Year award to friend-rival Carlos Alcaraz. However, the South Tyrolean champion addressed other topics on the sidelines of the Madrid event, starting with the goals already set for the upcoming tournaments (Rome Internationals and Roland Garros included). Part of his attention, however, also went to Novak Djokovic, one of the evening’s stars.

Djokovic has in fact been chosen as host of the Laureus Awards, a new role that Sinner says, however, is perfect for his emblazoned colleague. “I saw him earlier at the hotel,” the San Candido star admitted to ‘Sky Sports,’ “and we talked a little bit. It’s definitely a different thing, but one that he really likes since he can speak very well in so many languages. I think he’s the perfect presenter for an evening like this, he’s one of the best sportsmen in history for a slightly different role than usual.”

Beyond the recognition that went to Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner wanted to emphasize the value of the evening itself, regardless of the outcome of the award ceremony. “I am very happy to be here,” he said, again to the microphones of ‘Sky Sports.’

This award is given only once a year, it is an almost unique moment. To be nominated at this event you have to have played an incredible season. Then it is a great opportunity to meet other athletes, talk to them and maybe even learn something from them. I also want to enjoy this moment, because in tennis sometimes you play one tournament after another, you never stop, and every now and then an evening like this is also good for you.”

Sinner then turned his thoughts precisely to Alcaraz, who is currently in the pits due to a delicate wrist injury, without hiding his desire to see him facing him on the court again soon: “Carlos is going through a moment that is not easy. We all hope to see him back on the field as soon as possible. Maybe already in Rome. I, as an opponent, hope he will be there for Roland Garros as well. Because anyway when you want to win you aim to do it against the strongest players in the world. And he is definitely there. Others have had rivalries that lasted fifteen and more years. We are just getting started, so anything can still happen between us.” Hopes of seeing the Spaniard in Rome again, however, seem very remote: Madrid tournament director Feliciano Lopez was drastic about his compatriot’s situation, saying that “it is almost impossible for him to play in Rome,” hoping at least for a recovery in time for Paris.

A prospect that also weighs on the ATP ranking level: Alcaraz risks losing up to 3,000 points in the coming weeks, considering that last year he triumphed at both the Internazionali d’Italia and Roland Garros. In the meantime, Sinner has already set his schedule, with the Madrid Masters 1000-scheduled for April 22 to May 3-as his first event. “We are trying to play good tennis here, we know that in Madrid we will find a totally different court than all the others. You play on high ground, the ball flies. But I’m here to try to do my best and then obviously be ready for Rome. And after that there will be Paris, let’s say Roland Garros is the most important event in the next few months,” explained the South Tyrolean.

For Sinner, the Madrid tournament represents a historic occasion: by winning it, he would become the first tennis player to win five consecutive Masters 1000s, after his successes in Paris-Bercy, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo. A record that would add to an already extraordinary statistic, having already won seven of the nine Masters 1000s on the circuit. In the draw drawn on Monday morning, the world number 1 will start from the second round against a qualifier, in a draw that also records the heavy absences of Alcaraz and Djokovic himself, not yet physically ready. The Serb himself had communicated his forfeit via social media with a direct message, “Madrid, unfortunately I am not ready to compete this year. I am working to recover, see you soon.”